The court lackeys of the eight-hour workday

Chapter 576 Ending
Minamoto no Tomoyoshi's method of suppressing the Enryakuji monks involved extracting their hearts from the bodies of the Amanto warrior monks. And the very essence that gave rise to Susanoo was this heart.

Naturally, Susanoo's weakness is precisely his heart.

Although Li Miao did not witness the process of Minamoto no Yoshiaki condensing Susanoo, he did see the scene of him taking the heart out of the Amanto monk's body. With a little association, he could deduce that the heart must be related to Susanoo.

Furthermore, the fact that Li Miao had pierced his skull during their first meeting eliminated one possibility. Combined with the slight probing during their earlier struggle, this was enough for him to conclude that Susanoo's vital point lay in his heart.

So, they decided to play along.

Susanoo was strong enough to overpower Li Miao, but his fighting experience and techniques were derived from the monks of Enryakuji Temple. Coupled with the interference of Jianzhen, he became delirious and fell into the trap set by Li Miao using himself as bait.

laugh--

Fresh blood pumped out from the blade of the Totsuka Sword and then dripped down.

Li Miao's distraction dissipated.

Susanoo was finally able to pull out the Totsuka Blade. He fell from mid-air, half-kneeling on the ground, clutching his chest, and even inserting his fingers into the wound in an attempt to plug it.

invalid.

A massive amount of blood continued to gush from the wound, piling up into a pool at his feet within moments, even causing the dark sand to float to the surface.

Swish.

The illusion dissipated.

The bright moon hangs in the sky, and corpses lie strewn across the fields.

Susanoo turned his gaze back to the ruins of the Root Hall. The ruins had been torn even more into fragments by his fight with Li Miao, making it almost impossible to find a piece of the building larger than a fist.

Not far in front of him, Li Miao coughed a few times, covering his mouth, and blood gushed from between his fingers, falling to the ground with a splash.

He was already at his last gasp.

Regardless, Susanoo pierced his chest. Even the heart meridian created by his protective true energy was pumped into his lungs by countless fragments and pieces of flesh the moment it was shattered, worsening his already unhealed injuries.

"Cough, cough, cough."

He coughed a few times, ripped open his shirt, and reached directly into the hole in his chest. After a few sticky sounds, he let out a long breath, pulled his hand out, and threw a handful of minced meat on the ground.

"Comfortable."

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said with a smile.

"You're quite formidable. You're the first person I've ever ambushed and killed since I started my journey in the martial world. You have every reason to be proud."

"Relax, dizziness is normal."

Susanoo's face showed anger.

He wanted to rush towards Li Miao again, but as the blood beneath him accumulated, the strange sensation intensified. In his vision, Li Miao's figure began to blur, disperse, and then overlap, and the unquenchable malice and anger in his heart rose and fell, making him feel as if he wanted to vomit.

"vomit--"

He actually opened his mouth and spat it out.

He spat out half of a crystal-clear, scarlet heart onto the ground.

Clang.

The half-heart touched the ground with a crisp sound, then melted into the accumulated blood and disappeared without a trace.

But strangely, after Susanoo spat out that half of his heart, the phantom of the demon Buddha behind him suddenly changed—the already mottled golden body shattered and withered, revealing the same bluish-black skin as Susanoo beneath it, while the eerie lotus platform beneath him screamed as it withered and dissipated piece by piece.

Susanoo was taken aback.

He could feel that although his realm, true qi, and strength had weakened in every way, something that had been secretly restraining him within his body had also disappeared along with that half of his heart.

"Oh, stage two." A completely unfazed sigh came from ahead.

Susanoo suddenly looked up.

His lips slowly curved upwards along his protruding fangs as he reached out and picked up the Totsuka Sword, his five fingers opening and closing.

He became weaker, and he also became stronger.

The annoying chanting that had been interfering with him had completely disappeared. The phantom manifested by the True Realm was now entirely his own image, bearing no resemblance to the Buddha.

"Hahahaha—"

He laughed wildly.

Li Miao's injuries worsened, making it difficult for him to maintain the illusion of Silence! He was only slightly weaker; his true nature remained, his powerful body remained, and his Ten Fist Sword remained!

The victory is assured!

Bang!
A loud bang rang out, and he flashed in front of Li Miao, the Ten Fist Swords instantly weaving together a dense array of sword light!
Dang, Dang, Dang, Dang——

The sword's edge struck the protective aura, shattering it, and slowly approached Li Miao's head!

Although Li Miao did not take a step, he was forced back little by little. His protective true energy surged and transformed into various weapons that stabbed at his body. Blood splattered. He only managed to block the attacks aimed at his heart, and then he only attacked without defending!

Bang!
With a loud bang, the last layer of protective true energy was shattered.

The Ten-Fist Sword suddenly fell!
"Ugh."

Li Miao sighed and threw a punch at the sword's edge!
Clang—Sizzle!
The sword clashed with the fist, causing a momentary delay before cleaving through the fist, the wrist, the forearm, and finally landing on the collarbone!
Susanoo grinned as he twisted his sword, slicing Li Miao's right arm to pieces. Then he turned the sword around and slashed at Li Miao's neck.

Li Miao ducked to avoid the attack, his expression calm. Suddenly, his left fist slammed into the sword, sending it flying high into the air. Then, he thrust his fist into Susanoo's heart.

Snapped.

The fist slammed into the purplish-blue arm.

Susanoo blocked Li Miao's left fist with one hand, and suddenly released the Totsuka Sword with the other, grabbed Li Miao's left arm, and twisted it with all his might!
Click.

Arm broken.

Li Miao suddenly withdrew his hand, flicked his severed arm, and used his protective true energy to reconnect the severed arm, attacking Susanoo's chest once again!
Susanoo countered with a punch!

Bang bang bang bang! ——

Within a small space, the sound exploded loudly.

The blood and bits of flesh had barely left their bodies when the sonic boom ripped them apart, sending them scattering into a bloody mist. The exchange of blows, far exceeding the reaction speed of ordinary celestials, relentlessly eroded the flesh and blood of both combatants.

Bang!
Li Miao's left fist slammed into Susanoo's chest, causing Susanoo to cough up a mouthful of blood, but he burst into wild laughter.

Not powerful enough!
Li Miao's punch had 70% of its force reduced by his attack. Although it hit his vital point, it was not enough to kill him!
Since he is not dead—the outcome is already decided!
Susanoo opened his arms and suddenly pulled Li Miao into his embrace. His muscles bulged, and the phantom behind him had a ferocious face, clearly indicating that he had used his full strength!
He was about to crush Li Miao in his arms!
At that moment, Li Miao suddenly grinned maliciously!
Instead of continuing its fierce attack on Susanoo's heart, the remaining left hand coiled up like a venomous snake, grabbing his left arm, locking his neck, and restraining his movements.

At the same time, Li Miao let out a loud shout.

"Grandmaster!"

"it's your turn!"

Susanoo was suddenly startled, before he could react.

"Amitabha."

Then a Buddhist chant full of compassion came from behind.

Immediately, a hand imbued with a sense of tranquility silently imprinted itself on his back.

(End of this chapter)